'Knights-Tigers' match to watch

MANILA, Philippines - Letran and UST clash today in a key duel for a quarterfinal berth in the 2012 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

With a 4-2 card, the Knights need a victory to bolster their quarterfinal bid but the Tigers are also going flat out to improve their 3-3 mark and stay in the hunt.

San Beda (7-0) and Ateneo (6-1), which are still in the US for their annual pre-season buildup, have clinched the first two quarterfinals berth in Group A, leaving Letran, De La Salle, UST and the University of the East in a wild chase for the two remaining slots.

The Green Archers, also toting a 4-2 card, face a relatively lighter foe against the Mapua Cardinals (1-6) while the Red Warriors (2-3), try to keep their flickering hopes alive against the University of Perpetual Help Sytem Dalta Altas (1-6).

The Knights have won their last three games even without top scorer Kevin Alas with Jam Cortes, Mark Cruz and Raymond Almazan stepping up. But they will have to work extra hard against the Tigers, who boast of an equally potent starting five led by veterans Jeric Fortuna, Kevin Ferrer and Jeric Teng.

The Green Archers, meanwhile, gun for a follow-up to their 75-67 of the Altas in the event presented by Bostik Phils. Inc., in cooperation with Total Phils. Corp., and major sponsors Vulcaseal, TMS Ship Agencies, Meralco, NLEX Road Warriors, Bayo, KIA Motors, BDO, Nature’s Spring, Molten and Oxycan.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Ateneo-La Salle game on June 2 slated at 6 p.m. are now on sale at SM Tickets at 470-2222 or at the Filoil Flying V Arena during game day. Prices are pegged at P400 for ringside, P300 for lower box,  and P150.00 for the upper box.

Organizers said the game will be telecast on a delayed basis on the same day (June 2) at 11:30 p.m. and will be replayed on June 3 at 3:30 p.m., over at ABS-CBN Studio 23.